Magic fans can fuel up with new food options at Amway Center

What's a sporting event without pizza, burgers and hot dogs? That's like an Orlando Magic basketball game without Stuff or the Fat Man.

But when the Magic play the Milwaukee Bucks tonight at the Amway Center, fans will find new menu items that may make another tough season easier to stomach.

Consider the OMG hot dog ($10.25) served at the quick-serve Pinstripes. The all-beef frank is wrapped in pastrami and topped with chorizo, chipotle cheese, crispshoestring potatoes, fresh jalapeños and a pickle sauerkraut relish. OMG indeed.

If that's not to your taste, just cruise the mezzanine, because there's more to discover.

At Big Blue Taco the three-pointer tacos ($9.25) are beef or chicken packages plump with lettuce, tomato, cheddar and sour cream. The sloppy Jane taco ($7) is a vegetarian offering with tempeh, a protein-packed concoction made from soybeans, and the usual fillings.

At the O-Town Grill there's the sixth-man burger ($13), made from ground lamb and chorizo and topped with Swiss cheese, cabbage slaw, cilantro mayo and crispy potato sticks. A specialty burger changes for each game to reflect the cuisine of the opposing team's city.At a recent game against the L.A. Clippers, it was juicy nacho burger topped with crisp, freshly sliced jalapeños on an ultrafresh, slightly sweet bun. Tonight's ode to old Milwaukee will be a mac-and-cheese burger ($13).

For the money, the en fuego bowl ($10.25) is the MVP. The large container is packed with rice, beans, corn, cabbage and chicken or pork. The ingredients are seasoned with lime juice, cilantro, pico de gallo and a tomatillo cream.

"We want our fans to be excited about the action on the court and the food," said Amway executive chef Javier Rosa. Tapping new culinary trends and what's new in the market are two of the driving forces behind Rosa and his team's menus.

Other dining and drinking options include:

•Jernigan's: The Amway's first sit-down restaurant has two seating times: 90 minutes before tipoff and at tipoff. Dinner is $44.95, and ledge seating, which faces the court, is $54.95. The buffet changes often, and there is always a menu item that brings a taste of the opponent's hometown to Amway. Details: amwaycenter.com

•Magic Grill: A new restaurant is open to the public before and during all Magic games, concerts and ticketed events. There are two large bars, outdoor seating and more than a dozen flat-screen TVs. Don't miss the smoked pork-belly sliders ($12) and crispy fish tacos ($15). Details:amwaycenter.com

•ONE80 Grey Goose Lounge: This ultralounge with VIP seating has a chic dress code, bottle service, hors d'oeuvres and knockout views of the city. It opens one hour before events to ticket holders and everyone after Amway Center events until 2:30 a.m. On nonevent nights the lounge opens at 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Entrance is to the left of the Orlando Magic Team Shop. Details: 407-913-0180 or 180downtown.com.

•03 Bar: Adjacent to the Ozone deck, the lounge encompasses the south end of the arena's concourse and offers great views of the game and sunset. Details: amwaycenter.com.

•'Ronas & 'Ritas: Formerly known as the Gentleman Jack Terrace, some consider this spot Amway's front porch, overlooking Church Street and Interstate 4. Fans can watch game highlights on flat-screen TVs; it's open before, during and after Amway Center events. Details: amwaycenter.com.